In today's World, we adapt the home for the user, not vice versa.

With several possible reasons as to why to carry out an adaption of the home, ill health, lack of mobility, age-related issues, etc., there can be as many solutions to how best carry out these adaptions, all of which will be bespoke to the requirements of the user and their home.

Bathroom adaptions are no exception to this rule.

There are several reasons why a bathroom would require an adaption, with the lack of or reduced mobility coming out on top. The bath itself can prove to be the most limiting for regular everyday use and can often see the user relying on a family member or carer's help.

Typical conditions include.

• Safely accessing the bath with difficulty getting legs in and out,
• Being unsteady when standing in the bath area with a slippery base
• Difficulty with operating the taps from having less grip
• The limited room when using a walking frame or wheelchair

Several products on the market aid with safe, independent, regular use of a bath; bath lifts, bath pillows, hoist and rails, etc.- but many people choose the more straightforward, stylish, and modern-looking Walk-in Shower adaption.

Modern, Walk-in Shower rooms are safe, look good in any home, and are suitable for the whole family.

With the choice of removing the bath and deciding on installing a new walk-in shower, the question is which type will be best suited for the primary user?

Level accessed vs Low threshold - walk-in shower rooms.

There are numerous options and layouts when deciding on adapting the bathroom to a walk-in shower room; two types of shower tray installation form the basis of the new adaption.

The first is the low-level, walk-in shower. Like a regular shower cubicle, the tray is visible and will require the user to step into and onto the showering area. The shower tray takes more of the floor area and is much lower than a regular shower cubicle. Measurements are typically a shower tray that covers the floor area to a similar size to where the old bath is occupied and a step that is usually lower than 100mm or 4 inches.

To aid and help the user showering, it's typical to install a low-level, walk-in shower room with a fixed screen. It has been proven and is the advice of many Occupational Therapists that the movement of shower cubicle doors with their seals and magnetic catches is often more of a hindrance than actually helping the user.

Will a low-level shower tray be suitable for my home?

From the installer's view, the low-level, walk-in shower room can be installed in both upstairs and downstairs bathrooms and are suitable for concrete or timber floors. The increased height can offer a gravity waste-water system, reducing the cost maintenance issue for the end-user.

The alternative to the low-level shower is the level-accessed, walk-in shower room. This type of adaption incorporates the shower tray and floor as one, with no height difference between the floor levels. The end-user has an ultra-modern looking, step-free, and safe bathing experience that offers independent showering that can also be used by the rest of the family.

Similar and synonymous with a wet room, therefore suitable for wheelchairs and walking frames, the level-accessed shower is for people with all mobility levels. The wet-room style flooring covers the existing floor, and the new shower tray offers itself to be finished with a glass screen or, for even less restriction, a fold-away shower curtain.

As with the low-level, the level-accessed shower tray can be installed in bathrooms on every storey and is suitable for timber and concrete floors. Because the shower tray is installed flush with the existing flooring, extra labour may be involved to gain the extra depth, but this is not always the case. Additional work may also be required to achieve the gradient to have an adequate fall for a gravity wastewater pipe.

So which style of easy-access showering is the better choice?

The low-level and level access shower room adaptions both offer great benefits on having just a regular bath and will give the end-users these advantages-

• Independent showering. A carer or family member for assistance showering is not required.
• It reduces the risk of slips and falls with the flush or low threshold step into the showering area.
• Both shower rooms can be installed with various shower seating and grab rails if required.
• No stiff or leaking taps.
• Easier to clean and maintain.
• It maximises the use of the full bathroom space.
• Some installations can have an ultra-modern and attractive look.

There are plenty of products available at Able online store to complete your ideal easy-access shower room adaption, and if you require any assistance, please contact us at hello@asl-bathroom-store.co.uk.

Help us and others who read this article and comment below whether you'd prefer a wet-room style floor or a raised shower tray style walk-in shower.

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Eddie Fisher
Able (South) Ltd